She returned the smile as Raymond woke up. She tried to not look at his leg, but couldn't stop herself. It killed her that she was forced to do that, but the man was alive, surely that was worth something? But to be alive in today's world? Was that a good thing anymore? She returned his gaze and walked up to him and tipped her water bottle into his mouth to give him some. She then set the bottle down on the small counter next to the bed, in case he wanted some later. She had plenty.
She sat at the edge of the bed, making sure he still had enough room to fully relax, before she responded, "We are at a high school, it seems. The group that picked us up have made a community. You have only been out a few hours. They are going to see about going on a medical run to pick up some antibiotics for you." She hoped this wouldn't be a burden on his shoulders, seeing as he was a new addition to this group and now they were going to go out to look for supplies for him. She didn't know the man well enough, but you end up getting close to people when you are near death, "I am sure they will be fine. They seem capable, especially with that truck. And they are armed. I bet they will find some and be back soon. In the meantime, do you want me to get you anything?"
Jack nodded, following Ms. Sally along with Tatiana. While his mother had raised him with the belief that anyone could do hard labor, he didn't object to Ms. Sally's assessment that he was packing some muscle. He was more compact rather than bulky, but they didn't allow just anyone to become an officer of the law. He started to get to work, moving food over, and hefting up the rapidly filling pans. "These'd make some good cahdio," Jack joked, turning to face Tatiana.
Catching sight of her grin, Jack smiled goofily, until he noticed her blush and the way she stared at Bazhooli. For a mere moment, a chill seized Jack's heart, only to be recalled once he remembered Ms. Sally's words and the fact that Tatiana would never do that to him. "Knives and a ballahina? Sounds like a wicked show," Jack encouraged, adjusting his grip on one of the serving dishes. Moving them out to where Ms. Sally had instructed, Jack cracked his knuckles a bit, before returning to the kitchen. He couldn't help but note the lack of a dead mouse, and sincerely hoped that mice couldn't become walkers as well.
He heard Sophia offer her help as well, and Jack couldn't help but like the girl more and more. As a friend, mind you. He had a deep respect for people who could pull their own weight, and not everyone would be offering to lend a hand when they only had a single hand to give. "That's awful handy of you, Sophia," Jack said, winking a bit to accent his own pun.
Ădouard Riviere
Location: Heard County High School (Franklin)
Ădouard growled a bit, seeing the pistol aimed at his head. Russian roulette had been a game his sister, Darcey, had always wanted to play with him--and right now, he doubted that Lyon had a full chamber. And if the Frenchman was willing to waste his ammunition on him....Well, what little Ădouard knew, he did know the basics of how to run a criminal organization. Bullets were always needed. "Tu bluffais," Ădouard assessed, straightening his back. "Tu as hyper besoin de balle, mon salaud."
Ădouard kept his cutlass in one arm, but stood wide, as if daring Lyon to pull the trigger. "Tu n'as pas de...comment dit on en anglais? Ah, oui...ze balls." His mouth was twisted into a grin, but it quickly vanished as his knees were kicked in, and he fell to the ground, his sword clattering from his hand. Fingers dug into his shoulder, and he couldn't help but be thankful that his tattoos weren't being dug into it. His ship and flag tattoos didn't need to be scarred with the filthy hands of the Franklinites. He chuckled a bit as Lyon grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, pondering his options.
"Tirez Ă pile ou face," Ădouard replied, his gambling and thrill seeking addition rising to the surface.
The wind was knocked from him, as enormous pain erupted in his lower regions. Falling forward, Ădouard gasped, his mouth almost like a fish, as he attempted to breathe. Eventually, he drew in sweat delicious air, but his nether regions only increased in pain. " NIQUE TA MĂRE!" Ădouard screamed, clutching his manhood. Before he could even allow himself to cry, his head was tossed around with the stinging slaps of Svetlana, and this time, he couldn't even bring himself to curse.
Ădouard knew that he would need to get up, in order to respond to the baiting of the Americans. However, if his sore leg hadn't ailed him enough, there was immense pain in each and every part of his body. Death seemed sweat and called for, as with the whack Amelia had given him, he doubted that he'd ever be able to come even close to fathering a child. "Je choisis...l'exil."
Tu bluffais = You're bluffing Tu as hyper besoin de balle, mon salaud = You're in dire need of bullets, my (dear) son of a bitch. Tu n'as pas de...comment dit on en anglais? Ah, oui...ze balls. = You don't have the....how does one say it in English? Ah, yes...the balls. Tirez Ă pile ou face = Flip a coin. Nique ta mere! = F*ck your mother! Je choisis...l'exil. = I choose...exile.
Location: Parking Lot between Building 6 (Armory) and Building E (Apartments)
It was simple, squeezing a trigger. Less effort than raising a fork to one's mouth, and in this instance infinitely more satisfying. A loud report from the firearm, startling to any not accustomed to such a noise, sounded across the Inner Wall of Newnan. Echoed, just a little bit. Then it was over. A small moment of time, minimal effort, and the voices urging Ash to act quieted, leaving behind a sense of satisfied accomplishment. The man himself began to realize that this warm feeling of contentment was not a thing foreign to himself, but how he truly felt in that second of noise and muzzle flash. Useful be damned.
The bullet itself had already passed in and out of the smug prick's head before his nervous system allowed him the luxury of reacting to it, spraying blood, bone, and softer tissues in a sickening cone shape behind him. A single, noticeable chunk of skull remained partially attached by a flap of scalp, creating an odd hinge effect that, for some reason, Ash found slightly amusing. The wound looked small at the point of entry; somewhere around the size of a manicured fingernail. The exit wound, though, was more the size of a coffee cup. It was amazing the damage that could be caused sometimes when a bullet struck flat bone.
Now his corpse could be used as a message to those terrorists in Eden. The time to fuck with Newnan was over.
Ash smiled, ever so slightly. The mere thought of killing this man brought great satisfaction to him. He could see, in his mind's eye, all of the glorious carnage that a simple second of action would bring. The love of killing was not motivation enough to warrant such behavior, no, but the fact that his uncertainty about the man would be laid to rest was. His people would be safe. They wouldn't be in any more danger than they already were because of it, and the wolf in sheep's clothing would no longer be a concern. No torture, no sating an appetite for revenge. Just the simple an undramatic death of a dangerous man. Ash's position would be cemented for the newcomers. Eden would understand that "nice" was done with.
For good or ill, that wasn't the kind of place this was. Nor was that the kind of person Ash was. This man was correct: Ash did still have compassion. It was a fault as much as a virtue, anymore. These times had a way of changing people, though - Compassion takes many forms. A subtle shift from the virtue on an interpersonal level to showing compassion to an entire community of survivors wasn't that big of a stretch, and indeed was taking place within the gruff Captain. The shift was not complete; he indeed did wish to show mercy. At least part of him did.
Ash did not wish to appear shocked nor impressed at what the man had just told him. Knowing full well that his face would betray just that, on some small level, were he to remain quiet and staring, he instead opted for sarcasm. Paraphrasing one of his favorite movies, he began "Darnit, Mr. O'Reily, you use your tongue prettier than a twenty dollar whore." His gun did not move from the man.
He shifted the direction of his speech over to Bridgette, who looked almost gleeful to be in on the action. "Let's make sure he gets back to his cell. If he deviates from a direct path, kill him in any manner brings you the most happiness."
Ash lifted the radio once more, keeping his words short and pointed. "Check under the pillow. Clear the cell." The again-stoic Captain stepped to one side and motioned with his hand for Ryan to begin walking.
Bridgette Vinters
Location: Gravesite, within Outer Wall -> Parking Lot between Building 6 (Armory) and Building E (Apartments)
"Wow." Bridgette thought to herself, "Walldick's really bringing the intensity today."
She couldn't know what was going through Ash's head, but the Twenty Dollar Whore comment made her hold back a chuckle. Ok, she liked this guy. He was like the more straightlaced older brother that she never had. Plus, he made booze. Ash was alright. But this other guy? Well, she didn't know. He was kept alive for some reason, and while she really wanted to know why, now was not the best time to bring it up. Maybe after everything calmed down. Or just before. Or as soon as he was in a cell and out of earshot. But soon! Yes, soon.
But for now, she did say that she would act as a Security Detail for Ash, so that's what she was doing. It felt a little off, her preparing for a fight without her shield on her arm, but the situation called for more of a "boomstick" kind of option. She could still get at her preferred armament, but for now a spear and shotgun seemed the most effective combination, considering.
"Yeah, I got a mouth on me. Got a gun on you. Start walking, Fuckstick."
The Great Bazhooli
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall)
"Vas talking about whole town, not just kitchen." said The Great Bazhooli, a polite look on his face as he addressed Sally, "But vould be happy to help you now." He moved as the older Newnanite directed, filling and placing serving dishes. He was no food service worker, but he wasn't lazy nor stupid. Food goes in this, this goes over there. Repeat as necessary. As a side note, don't go for anything sharp or dangerous that would put the men with guns at unease. They didn't seem like the randomly violent type, but Bazhooli was the new guy in town.
From the show he had put on outside the gates, they might expect that a man like himself could turn a properly stocked kitchen into a place of sharp, flying death. Indeed he could, but that would be horribly counterproductive to being accepted into this place. With the gunshots and worry, he suspected that it wouldn't take much for things here to go south for him. So, he kept his hands busy and in plain view, avoiding getting near anything that could be used as an obvious impromptu weapon.
When Sally mentioned putting on a show for Newnan, a very accepting smile crossed his face. The little ballerina jumped at the idea, to the point of immediately dragging him into it. Not that he minded. He had a few good routines on standby, usually the kind of thing one would see from a street performer. Tatiana very likely had never worked as a Knife Thrower's Assistant, and there was no time to get the tiny nuances of said performance drilled into her by then. But they could at least do something.
"Da, da. I like very much this plan. But... vould need things back. Maybe is for later? Ah, ve figure something out."
@Nallore@FantasyChic - Ray is stable for now and things are going alright. He will be laid for a while as per expected and will probably doze in and out between blood loss, surgery, pain, and just having a down right bad day. You two are clear until further notice to just keep carrying on.
@rivaan@Morose@Charnobylisk - Beni, Lyon, and the rest of the people of Franklin just kind of stood there as two of the new women began to lay into the Frenchman. Lyon couldn't help but bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Beni on the other hand was not so tactful about it, the man bursting out in laughter as these two tiny women laid into this problem as if he had just tried to snatch their purses. "L'exil ĂŠtait pas une option"<Exhile was not an option> Lyon finally said as stepped forward and grabbed Ed by the ankle and Beni stepped up from behind as his hand went to his side arm. Lyon gave a little shake of the head as he pulled out his dagger and pressed it against Ed's cheek, cutting into the mains pristine face on his right side and dragging it until he finally pulled it away at his lip. "La mort ou l'ĂŠducation?" he repeated. He wanted to see just how arrogant this child really was. Beni cocks a brow as he watches Lyon. "Tapping into your old days of Brise de Mer?" Beni asked and Lyon just chuckles. Brise de Mer, a name that Ed would know well because of his families business. "Oui." Maybe, just maybe it would dawn on Ed who Lyon truly was before the outbreak. Lyon was the well known moniker for the Godfather of Brise de Mer.
@Caits@Nallore - Astrid tells Neisha thank you and gives her a little pat on the shoulder before getting back to things and waiting for the all clear from Ash so they can move the children from the main building across the street. She tends to a few cuts and scrapes some of the children got in the rush to get out of the line of fire but other than that everything seems alright. Stepping back into the infirmary proper and keeping an ear out for the OR in case anything is needed she goes back to helping Froggy take care of odds and ends for now.
Tatiana Korvo
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall: Kitchen)
Ms Sally smiled over Sophia and nodded. "Yes actually, could you get together the silver ware for the evening?" she asked the girl as she motioned for her to follow for a quick moment. Near the serving line were containers of folks, knives, spoons, napkins. It was usual for them to just hand out one of each rolled up in a napkin to each to keep people from touching every last piece of silver ware while they searched for one they liked. It was a bit "going out to eat ish" but Ms Sally ran the Mess Hall and few wanted to argue with the old woman. Looking at Sophia and smiling slightly, figuring the girl could handle this with one hand and it would give her something to do that was helpful and could free up the hands of some others while they were there.
Tatiana smiled a bit as Ms Sally gave Sophia something to do. Tatiana would probably never understand what it was like to lose a limb, at least she hoped she wouldn't, but she knew the feeling of not knowing what to do to be helpful. Being able to help on any level was always good. Glancing back over to Jack as he spoke she giggled a little and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. He was so goofy at times but she found it so endearing. It was just who he was and it made her smile. As the other Russian spoke n=up she let out a breath of relief. She was glad he was up for it even if she had basically volunteered him without thinking. She was just so excited about the prospect of having an audience once again, almost like how life had been before.
Ms Sally wandered back over to the men and dusted her hands off a bit on her apron. "There will be plenty to do once we get the all clear from the Captain. Right now the town is on high alert and lock down, most of our people do not know you three yet. They could end up shooting you just out of fear," Ms Sally said before she motioned for the guys to get back to moving things for her. She had no problem having a couple of young men do the heavy lifting for her. "Nothing like watching a couple of strapping young lads do some manual labor," she quipped to Tatiana and Sophia as she gave Tatiana a bit of a jab in Tati's ribs with her elbow. "If I were twenty years younger I know what I would be doing tonight."
Tatiana had found herself watching Jack intently but at Ms. Sally's words gawked slightly as her jaw went slack and the color rushed to fill her cheeks. Biting her bottom lip she brought her hands up to her cheeks and gasped a little. "Ms Sally! Vhat dirty mind," she said embarrassed as she finally looked away from Jack and covered her face fully with her hands.
"What? It's a natural thought?" Ms Sally laughed seeing just how fifty shades of red Tatiana had turned.
Ryan O'Riley
Location: Parking Lot between Building 6 (Armory) and Building E (Apartments)
"I'm the Lord of the fucking dance," Ryan chuckled a bit as he eyed Ash, watching him closely as he kept his arms up where they were. Glancing over at Bridgette he started walking, lacing his fingers behind his head as he did so and giving Ash a bit of a wink as he wandered off in the direction of the courthouse and back to his cell. "Yeah but you ain't a gun girl. You prefer to make things personal. Up close. So you won't be pulling the trigger even if I did dart off. As that bossman said. If I tried anything, to do it in a way you you enjoyed. I don't figure pulling a trigger would do that for you," he added as he kept walking.
Ryan knew he could die at any moment. The man wasn't stupid, he just had balls the size of Jupiter was all and little frightened him these days. Little scared him even before the outbreak thanks to years in prison and what had happened to his brother but after time with Eden he seriously doubted anyone in this little plush group could dream up anything half as terrifying as he witnessed while with them. He much rather being buried alive and being pissed on until he died than ever head back there.
"Benn a hell of a time for you all here today hasn't it? People getting shot up out of no where. Better get used to living in fear because doesn't matter what those Walkers can do to you, the monsters that still have a pulse are the real fuckers to fear. You see, they still think. Walkers, they just want a meal. It isn't personal. A ravenous dog is the same way. It just wants food. Adamm on the other hand, he wants more than flesh. He enjoys using our own personal ways against us. For you lot, that is each other. Wonder what Zoie will do about it once she finds out, if she hasn't already, and if she is still alive. I figure she is. Isn't like Adamm to just put a bullet into someone's skull that he has said he wants back. Nah, he wants to watch things burn and her mind is on the top of his list," Ryan rambled on as he walked towards the front door of the court house as Ash would get the all clear from the rest of the leads and the wall around the city.
Location: Heard County High School â the cafeteria.
'Ohh for Pete's sake...!!' Amelia cried inside as she fell to the side after the hit landed onto Ed's privates. She currently had no ability to stand from all the spinning. Her head was still spinning actually! She was to the side about a 2 meters away from Ed after rolling to that and now laying on her back, breathing heavily and blinking.
She could hear people laughing at the situation.' I suppose it was funny...' She realized, but only smiled, feeling good about the hit. Still she was intending to hit his head not his tender bits.
Taking a few more breaths, she rose to a sitting position, hearing Lana shout and slap Ed's face hard. Amelia looked at the scene now, quite enjoying the sounds of it.â I cannot understand how someone can have so much luck...â She mumbled to herself, realizing exactly how close Ed avoided death... AGAIN.
Finally the locals seemed to decide it was time to get serious about this. She cringed as the knife was pushed onto Ed's face. As much as she disliked the bastard, this simply must hurt.' Now there's another problem... if he chooses to 'learn', he will come after me for revenge later!!' She thought, wondering if she should just whack him again.
Kristina looked over her shoulder as Astrid came up towards Niesha and asked if she would be willing to go and help make some medications from the medical garden with the things that they were running low on. She was more then willing to try and help, but she didn't know what to do and she didn't want to mess anything up. Once Niesha agreed she watched Astrid heading back into the infirmary then looked over towards Niesha and gave her a smile. "I'll check up on Sophia for you once we move over towards the mess hall." Kristina offered as she looked over towards the front door of the court house entrance and saw Bridgette and Ryan in tow she didn't know this man or didn't even see him enter Newnan.
"Looks like Bridgette caught a man for the first time." Kristina said jokingly and tried to hold back a laugh but she kept her eyes trained on Ryan, she was very untrusting of him. Kris then sat back up in the seat that she was sitting in, her attention back over towards Niesha. "I'll be fine, you don't have to check up on me unless you want to." Kristina said with a slight shrug, she continued to hear the all clear from the radio, she just needed to wait for Ashton's word however to move.
Sophia Harris
location: Building 2 (Mess Hall).
Sophia looked towards Ms. Sally and gave her a soft smile and nodded, she was done sitting around and doing nothing all day she moved over to Ms. Sally and listened closely to the older woman's instructions. It was easy enough she remembered setting up the tables for Thanksgiving dinner for her entire family and setting up the silverware. "Well we need another handy woman around here am I right?" Sophia quipped back she started to like Jack already, he seemed like a great guy so far already more then willing to help out with setting things up for the other Newnans. She laughed slightly as she grabbed a napkin and then a fork, spoon and knife and started to wrap it up into the napkin setting it to the side and continued to do the process. Sophia perked her head up when Ms. Sally spoke to both her and Tatiana as the two men went to work with the heavy lifting.
"Glad that we have big strong men here to protect us." Sophia said as she looked over towards Ms. Sally and Tatiana for a moment and smirked at the older woman's comment seeing the younger woman's face turning different shades of red. She thought about making a little comment but decided against it for now as Sophia went back to continue to set up the silverware making a small pile ready for the silverware to be brought out towards the tables. Once Sophia had made enough she started to grab a few of them in one arm and moved over towards the tables setting them down neatly.
Raymond Mendoza
Location: Heard County High School - Infirmary
Raymond started to drink the water that Tiffany had given him, feeling the cool liquid going down his dry throat causing him to cough a few times causing him to groan in pain as he turned to look at Tiffany as she sat down at the edge of the bed. He was just grateful to be alive a little bit longer. Raymond listened to Tiffany it didn't feel like he was out for very long, he was surprised that the group didn't kill him right away and instead they were going to try and go out for a supply run for medical supplies. So far the group seemed good enough for them. "At least we are safe for now. Just keep a man company is the only thing that i'd need right now." Ray said as he moved slightly to get more comfortable, he was curious about Tiffany and wanted to get to know her a little bit more.
"So where are you from?" Ray asked, he just wanted to make small conversation though he was really tired he wanted to stay awake a little bit longer. He looked towards his leg once more as he reached for the bottle of water once more and started to take another drink from it. "Sorry that I had to make you do that by the way.." He felt bad that he had basically forced her to cut off his leg.
"I want to check on you, it's no bother" Niesha said in response to Kristina, watching as Astrid when about checking some of the children over. She leaned back, watching the children as she let her mind wander. Waiting for the all clear was starting to get a bit nerve racking. There was always that slight fear that something else was going to happen. It just seemed almost...anticlimatic.
That being said, three people were dead. And yet, with the skill of the shooter, it could have been a heck of a lot worse. It felt like they were on the brink of something, and she shifted uneasily. She wanted to ask Kristina what she thought about that, but didn't want to freak out the children.
She turned her mind instead to making sure she would remember all that she needed to make the medication supplies. There would be some times where she would have to set some of the steps aside, requiring a little bit of time to settle before pcontinuing, so she knew this was going to be a very late night.
"Maybe I'm going to need some help" She said, more to herself then Kristina.
Svetlana would like to have been surprised by Ed's utter and total refusal to back his ego the fuck down but she wasn't. She couldn't even bare to look at him anymore and kept her back turned as he spoke in his ridiculous way (not talking about the French, just his pompous ass attitude) and moved to go find Peaches again. That was right up until she caught sight of Amelia cringing as she walked past her, the voices of the men sounding like white noise behind her. She turned and raised her eyebrow as she saw the knife against Ed's face. That wasn't very nice but she could hardly blame them.
At the mention of Beni talking about Brise de Mer Svetlana's eyebrows shot up so high it was amazing that they didn't fly high above her head while her jaw dropped down to the ground in surprise. She stepped back towards the men and looked at Lyon. "Brise de Mer?" Her voice raised at the end to signify that she was asking a question as she pointed at Lyon. She then pointed to herself and spoke clearly to Lyon. "Bratva." She never thought she would meet someone who could have ties to her life before the end so this was a very nice surprise. Perhaps now was the time to start speaking English?
She glanced down at Ed and noticed the large cut that Lyon had given him. She tilted her head, as if admiring Lyon's handiwork and gave an appreciative but indecisive nod before sighing and looking back to Lyon and then to Beni. "Vas dis really nezzezary? Vhy not remove svord arm for draving veapon on you? I know pretty boy but lose veapon arm more important, da?" She spoke as if the punishment of the matter was something worthy of casual conversation. What a fitting topic of conversation to have on her first instance of speaking English.
She hazarded a glance at Amelia and wondered if she would cause a scene over her now suddenly being able to speak English. Girl would do well to learn that the world was still full of liars even if it was more full of the dead.
Zoick
Location: Building 1 (Main - OR)
Richard looked to Astrid as she quipped in and let out a small sigh. He hadn't planned to lie to Zoie but he hadn't figured he'd be telling her quite so much quite so soon. He looked her dead in the eyes and gave a small, sharp nod. "She be tellin' it like it is, Daisy. We thought we'd lost ya..." His eyes welled up some and he bit on his lower lip before releasing it and kissing her on the forehead.
Zoie didn't know what to say as she looked at Richard, the only thing her southern drawl was able to push out was an "oh..." Seeing his eyes tear up Zoie reached up and cupped his cheek gently in her fingers as she let out a shaky breath. "Honkey Tonk?" she managed to push out from her lips as she looked at him concerned; she wasn't used to him being the one showing emotions. She was the one that wore her heart on her sleeve but after everything she couldn't help but wonder just why he was getting like this.
Richard wiped his face on the shoulders of his shirt and cleared his throat as he sat upright and took a deep breath. "Sorry Daisy, didn't mean t'get all weepy on ya." He tried to force a smile but it resembled more of a grimace. He wiped his face repeatedly with his hands and then realised they were still covered in her blood and he choked up again. "Damn. I best clean myself up. I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail." He stood up quickly and walked over to the wash basin where he turned the water on and let it run over his hands. He grabbed the scrub brush and rubbed the dried up blood and congealing blood from his hands and splashed his face.
Watching him closely, Zoie forced herself up into a sitting position, hissing out in pain as she did. Taking a breath she shook off the sharp stab as it faded away in her shoulder back to the dull ache left over from the surgery. "It be okay Honkey Tonk, just be tellin' me whys you all floodin' right now," she said in a soft voice as she curled her fingers along the side of the gurney to keep herself sitting up, feeling her head swimming slightly in the process.
Shaking his hands off and grabbing a towel from nearby, Richard dried himself off some and then ran back to the gurney where he helped Zoie lay back down. "Hey now, don't be gettin' up. You're way too hurt for tha', Daisy. Jus' lay back and relax 'kay?" He tried to avoid the question, as ever, and helped to make her comfortable as best he could.
Zoie pushed his hand away and sat back up, grunting as she did, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at him. "Aww hell naw, you ain't runnin' from me question like yours a fox skitaddlin' away from a hound. Answers me Honkey Tonk." Her voice was firm as she looked up at him, her fingers wrapping around her shoulder and holding it still as she sat there looking as if she was about to stand straight up and belt him if he tried to dodge the question again.
"You almost died, okay?! Twice I though I'd lost ya. TWICE. Tell me why I ain't allowed t'cry over that?" He didn't want to yell, knew she deserved more than that but the fangs came out without him even trying. He instantly regretted it though and rubbed his face. "Sorry... I didn't mean t'snap. I jus' didn't want t'lose ya."
Shaking her head a bit she wasn't surprised he snapped, that was just his way. Sighing she reached out and tucked a bit of his hair behind his ear. "Yous be the most stubborn man thats ever done lived Honkey Tonk," she said as she pulled her fingers back and sighed deeply as she felt a tightness form in her chest. Closing her eyes she slowly leaned back and laid down on the gurney once again. Second chances didn't come often in life and she figured if he wasn't going to say it now he never would; because he didn't. "Don'ts you be sheding no tears over me."
"Not so easy when someone ya love dies in front o' ya. Twice." He let the words linger in the air as he finally let them out. He hadn't been sure before because how was he to know what love actually was? He'd done nothing but jump from woman to woman, job to job, place to place. He'd never been tied down to anything or anyone or anywhere so this was all entirely new to him. When the world went to shit Richard had barely even noticed. He was used to fighting for his survival, this time he just wouldn't be liable for killing anyone to survive. He couldn't bring himself to look at Zoie as his mind wandered from him.
If Zoie hadn't already been a daze from the blood loss and the medications she probably would have fainted from his words. Her eyes opened slowly as her head turned towards him, still in half shock but not daring to try to push his buttons right then. She didn't want any fangs or to scare him off. Swallowing slightly she reached up with her good arm and ran the tips of her fingers through his hair before cupping the back of his neck and pulling herself up carefully so she could rest her brow against his. "Does this mean my Honkey Tonk be comin' home? Momma's been awf'ly lonely without ya," she said quietly as her eyes sought his out.
"Only if my Daisy wants to put up with my shit again." He watched her eyes and gave her a gentle kiss before leaning back and resting his brow against hers again. For once he didn't get the innuendo, right now he was more worried about who had shot his Daisy and how quickly he could find them and beat the living daylights out of them.
Letting out a long breath she smiled slightly and curled her fingers against the back of his neck. "Then you bes comin' home," she said before her eyes narrowed a bit as her nails dug into the back of his neck. "But I's be sayin' this onlys once. You plow another girls field again and yous be wishin' I did die on this here table bys the time I be done with ya," she warned him in a stern voice. She'd put up with a lot of shit for him, she loved him. She'd put up with even more knowing he loved her but him taking a tumble in the hay with anyone but her was where she drew the line.
Richard blinked and flinched all in one and gave a solemn nod as he leaned his head in closer towards hers, the pain in his neck firing through him even though it wasn't as strong of a grip as she usually could pull. "Don't worry Daisy, ya know I ain't gonna wreck yer trust twice like that. Lesson is well and truly learned. Swear on Froggy's miracle workin' life." She would know that he completely meant his words then. No one took Froggy's life in vain.
Jack frowned a bit, heeding Miss Sally's words. He knew that in tense situations, accidents would happen. But the very idea that someone might shoot Tatiana and mistake her for an invader struck a nerve with him. He wasn't an idiot and he wasn't naive, but she was the only thing left in the world with an ounce of purity left to her. The notion that others could be blind to that stunned him.
"We'll keep quiet here," Jack promised, nodding at Miss Sally. The last of the trays had been moved over, and almost teasingly, he flexed at Tatiana. He knew that he was conventionally attractive, despite never being one to take advantage of it. Seeing how kind natured Bazhooli and the others were set him at ease as well. Even if Newnan burned to the ground, he expected that Tatiana, Miss Sally, Sophia, Bazhooli, and himself would be able to make it out alright.
His mind flickered back to the ring he had been preparing, stashed away in the apartment building. He frowned a bit, hoping that the invaders would be taken care of soon, so he could go back and grab it. As much as he wanted to propose at that very minute, he wasn't going to do it without a ring. Tatiana deserved a proposal just as beautiful as she.
Ădouard Riviere
Location: Heard County High School (Franklin)
Ădouard let out a small cry of pain, feeling the slice of the dagger against his beautiful face. It was all he had going for him in the end, his good looks and his charm. Had he not just been given a royal beatdown, he would have cradled his face, and began urging for someone to rush him to a surgeon skilled enough to prevent any scarring. However, then another fateful phrase caught his attention.
"Brise de Mer?" Ădouard asked, entirely stunned. He hadn't heard that name in ages, not since before the outbreak. His family, as much as he pretended otherwise, wasn't truly the sole mafia française. There were other sects, other factions. FĂŠlix had urged Ădouard to discard his pendant, the very one that identified him as a member of l'Unione Corse. He had tossed it away, disposed of it, years ago. And now, here he was, face to face with Lyon de la Brise de Mer, and he gulped a bit. L'annĂŠe 1997....
Alisanne and Darcey had been left in charge, with Ădouard's parents off in Cairo for business. The girls were still in secondary school, but already, they had shown a knack for leadership and for cruelty. With a house filled with guards and servants, hardly anything was suspected to happen. The Riviere family kept their children in Grenoble, far from the main headquarters of l'Unione Corse in Marseilles. Currently chief of the nineteen families that comprised the organization, their youngest son, Ădouard, was being groomed to take over.
"Darcey! Attend! Le train marche très bien!" Ădouard, hardly ten years old, exclaimed. He eagerly pressed the controller for the train set, sending the locomotive back and forth constantly. The family cat pawed at it curiously from its spot nearby, and Ădouard laughed with glee each time the train managed to evade the orange paws of doom. His sisters hardly paid him any attention, sitting on the nearby couch, discussing with each other in rapid Japanese. They had learned the language in order to avoid their brother from understanding, but even then, he grew to know that bakayaro meant him.
"C'est absurde," Alisanne said pointedly, glancing at her brother. But he didn't care, continuing to play with the train. This time, rather than avoiding the cat, he turned it into a game. As the train went into motion, he sped it towards the orange nightmare, and then let out a bit of a squeal each time he managed to get the train to safety just in time. Darcey, for her part, chuckled in amusement at her brother. "Il est juste un petit garçon, il le faut jouer avec le train, Ali."
Alisanne shook her head, rising from her seat on the couch and heading over to retrieve her cat. Bending down to pick up her beloved furball, Ădouard sent the train off once more, hardly noticing his sister's fingers against the track. And this time, he pulled back too late. The mechanical engine smashed into Alisanne's hand, causing the cat to scratch wildly with a scream and shoot off into the recesses of the house. Alisanne's fingers were jammed, and she shook her hand in pain, turning angrily to gaze at her brother. "Anata ga nani o yatta ka o mite, anata no kanzen'na baka!" Alisanne screamed, as Darcey looked on, concerned. The angered blonde picked her brother up by the scruff of his neck, and pinned the boy against the wall, as Ădouard screamed and wailed.
"Je suis desolĂŠe! Il ĂŠtait un petit accident!" Ădouard blubbered. Darcey walked over to Alisanne, putting a calming hand on her shoulder. "Kare wa wakakute orokadesu. Kare o kowagara seru, kare o kizutsukeru koto wa arimasen."
Alisanne shook her head, dropping Ădouard to the ground. She bent down as to be at his level, and looked him directly in the eye. "Tu veux une histoire, eh, petit prince? Alors, je te donnerai une histoire. Il ĂŠtait une fois..." Alisanne began, before describing at detail the butcher of little French boys. He was a man, more of a shadow, and his helpers called him Lyon. She went into great length about la Brise de Mer and all of their activities, and with each word, promised Ădouard that if Lyon hated anything, it was naughty boys.
"Il me tuera?" Ădouard gulped. Alisanne only nodded, before sweeping out of the room. Ădouard ran towards Darcey for comfort, tears streaming down his face, but she too had left.
He was all alone. Le prĂŠsent...
Ădouard's face was entirely white, his hands clammy as the reality began to sink in. He couldn't decide which was better--to be tortured at the hands of Lyon or to die as a coward, a fool. Both choices were just as appealing as they were horrid, and with Svetlana's apparent ease with Lyon, Ădouard's last shred of hope died. No one was coming to save him. He'd have to make a choice: education or death? He recalled that one brief phrase he had learned, the singular day he showed up to his college literature course. Translated into French, the original read:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause
The Frenchman wept, afraid of death and afraid of life. "L'ĂŠducation," Ădouard muttered quietly.
L'annÊe 1997.... = The year 1997.... Darcey! Attend! Le train marche très bien! = Darcey! Look! The train works very well! C'est absurde = That's silly. Il est juste un petit garçon, il le faut jouer avec le train, Ali. = He's just a little boy, it's necessary he plays with the train, Ali. Anata ga nani o yatta ka o mite, anata no kanzen'na baka! = Look at what you've done, you complete moron! Je suis desolÊe! Il Êtait un petit accident! = I'm sorry! It was a little accident! Kare wa wakakute orokadesu. Kare o kowagara seru, kare o kizutsukeru koto wa arimasen. = He's young and stupid. Scare him, don't hurt him. Tu veux une histoire, eh, petit prince? Alors, je te donnerai une histoire. Il Êtait une fois.. = You want a story, eh, little prince? So, I'll give you a story. Once upon a time... Il me tuera? = He's going to kill me? Le prÊsent = The present L'Êducation = Education
Tiffany drank a little water herself before she looked back at Ray. Normally, she would have not been so open with someone she only just met, but this type of situation had you becoming real close with people in a matter of minutes. Not to mention she did take off the man's leg. She owed him some personal information if that is what he wanted. "I was born and raised in Illinois, but I moved to Massachusetts to attend school there. After I graduated is when all of this happened. I traveled south and here I am."
She looked at his leg again before she continued, "It's all right. It had to be done. I just wish I had more medical knowledge, then I could have taken better care of it. Lucky we stumbled upon this group when we did. Seems like they have a good thing going here." She wasn't sure if she wanted to stay here or not. On the one hand, it spelled safety for the time being, but on the other she knew firsthand how easy it was for things to crumble apart. It only takes one person and she wouldn't be surprised if that one douchebag in the truck on their way here was that one person.
Location: Building 1 (Lobby) -> Building 1 (Cells)
It just kept speaking. Constantly, unerringly opening and closing its mouth while sounds came pouring out, whether or not anyone had desire to listen. This was Eden's great plan, was it? Kill a few, then plant some observant blowhard to jump bodily upon already raw nerves? Well, the fact that it knew things about him that could not have been gleaned without sustained reconnaissance was bothersome. Ash would certainly have to get to the bottom of it, but he would greatly prefer to make it more on his terms. Any concession on his part that wasn't earned solidly would put him in a weaker position for future discussion. This entire situation had to be reworked.
Entering the building, word came filtering back through his walkie that Newnan's spotters caught nothing amiss. Everything looked clear from their vantage points, Newnan Leads checked in with relative still. Ash looked around the Courthouse Lobby, noting the children, Kristina, Niesha... and responded.
"Copy that. Hold position for now. Will get back with you in a moment."
The procession of Ash, Ryan, and Bridgette continued down and back, to the cell that the newcomer Edenite had recently escaped. The door was open, and a very ashamed looking man sat nearby on a bench. Ash addressed him in even, but solidly angered tones, trying to keep his disappointment and rage from filling the room. "Keys." Ash held out his hands, accepting them, "We will discuss the details later. For now, grab a volunteer and recover Lily's corpse. Be extremely careful, it could be a trap. Afterwards, you will report to Livestock. Guy has a shovel for you."
The man nodded, gave a quick salute, and hauled ass away from the Cells. Ash kept his gun on Ryan, urging him back into his Newnan home. As soon as the door closed back, the Captain locked up and readdressed his radio. "Guy, I'd like to offer you congratulations. Your term of service shoveling shit is over. Please grab a rifle and relieve our man in the Tower."
His tone changed into something almost upbeat as he continued speaking, "Mr. James, sir! Once relieved, please report back to the smoker. Newnan needs you."
Finally, he looked to Bridgette. Sighing just a little bit, he stepped up the hallway some, pulling her along. When fairly certain that they were out of earshot, he intoned in a quiet voice, "I need you to stick around here until someone comes to relieve you. It'll be about ten, fifteen minutes. Then go back to your duties. Do not approach, do not engage. If he tries anything, fill that cell with buckshot. We good?"
Bridgette Vinters
Location: Building 1 (Cells)
"Yeah, yeah. We good."
This didn't exactly play to her strengths, staying quiet and not hurting people. Nor did following orders come naturally to her either. But it was more than just herself and Astrid to worry about, now. It might be rough, considering how this guy absolutely loved to talk shit, but she could play nice for a few minutes.
She hoped.
Bridgette walked back into the area of cells proper, taking a seat on the bench nearby. Staying within sight of the manipulative prisoner, she leaned her spear on the wall nearby and took up her sawed-off, marveling at the possibilities of so much exposed, smooth metal. It seemed the perfect medium to engrave designs and runes, little patterns of artistic knotwork, maybe. Even the stock had potential. As much as Ryan was correct: It would indeed have given her greater pleasure to insert something sharp into the man, rather than the impersonal "point and click interface" of a firearm, this gun had potential. It was simple, easy to use, and had lots of decorative potential.
She wondered to herself if she could make one, given a piece to open and study.
Black James!
Location: Building 1 (Courthouse, Tower)
James heard the news over his walkie. Yessir, Cap'n! That's some good news, right there. I'mma give another 360 sweep with m' scope, make sure we're all good before steppin' down." His attention most assuredly stayed on task with that rifle, looking this way and that, covering the grounds of the inner and outer walls. Where he could clearly see outside of the community, he checked as well. In the back of his mind, though, he did think about that deer, still inside that smoker.
It hadn't been vented for a while, meaning that the fire could have gotten too weak, even gone out. Smouldering was best, no question, but proper air was needed to keep things ideal. It was more than likely alright, in any case. A little more smoke couldn't really harm the meat, not at this stage. While he was anxious to attend to it, the concept of a happy and free Newnan was obviously of much greater importance.
Swinging his sights back to the large Probate Court building just outside of the Outer Wall, James looked at Lily's crucified body yet again. "...these people ain't right..." he muttered to himself. In this world, he had seen worse things happen to people. But this was a different sort of thing entirely. Something had to be done about them, whether it was a treaty, driving them away, or burning their home down on top of them.
"Hey, we got people on Miss Lily, yeah?"
The Great Bazhooli
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall)
It felt good to work and talk with people again, even if it was mere manual labor. Then again, the "mere manual labor" involved getting food together for a small community of people that didn't seem to want to murder them on sight. Now, the food part of that thought was well enough, but people not murdering him? Icing on the cake. He could only think of his lonely handcar, out in front of the main gate on those tracks, testament to both the colorful, nostalgic grandeur from which he came and the bitter miles he had to travel after it was all taken from him.
He really wasn't sure what to do with it now. The cart itself could run off of tracks, granted, but it was much more difficult and certainly not pragmatic for anything else. Perhaps it would simply sit there for a while, until he could devise a way to bring it inside the walls. Otherwise, the last bit of his railway adventure (and last possession of his circus) would eventually become a locked-up home for insects and small mammals. Maybe a tarp in the meantime?
If Newnan worked out, pitfalls and all, it would be a small matter in comparison to the gain of home and people.
SchrĂśdinger
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall)
"Meow..."1
1 = I have secured food, and the trust of the locals. Excellent. I must explore my immediate area, forthwith!
The walkies around Newnan crackled to life once more, with Ash's voice issuing from them. It was a simple two-word utterance, but one that brought with it a profound sense of relief:
"All clear."
A moderate pause in time, just a few seconds, brought with it further instruction. "All details, please remain armed for the time being. One from the Mess Hall, please relieve the guard posted at the holding cells. Further, we need two armed personnel to assist Bridgette at the Outer Wall. Volunteers to the Courthouse doors. Anyone without specific orders, please return to your duties. That is all."
@Nallore@FantasyChic - Still in the clear, things are looking over. One of the people from Franklin brings in a small tray of food. Some solid things for Tiffany and some clear liquids for Ray. Simple instructions are left that they don't want him on solid foods just yet because of everything. The woman smiles slightly and then heads back out
@rivaan@Morose@Charnobylisk - Lyon nods a bit. "Oui," he states simply before glancing over towards Lana and cocks a brow, a broad grin coming to his lips. "Now child do we really wish to keep him alive and cut down on his chance of survival? It would mean more work for us to keep him alive. Plus, I really don't want to waste our limited medical supplies on the likes of him. Ones such as this so better with blows to their ego's than blows to their body," he says before glancing back over towards Ed. A smirk coming to his lips as he nods. "Bien," he states as he flips his knife over in his fingers and sheathes it at his side. Righting himself he dusts off his hands and eyes the young man. "Leçon 1: parle anglais," he chuckles before looking over to Beni. "I gots this one boss, he'll fall in line or," he stated to say before Beni cut him off. "He'll be fodder for Eden if he pulls another stunt like that," Beni says as he keeps the sword and steps off as the Medic comes over to him and starts talking quietly. "Really? Well I didn't want to reveal our hand just yet but looks like we have no choice. They have the medical resources we don't. Right, three party team to load up and leave in 20. We need to strike a deal with Newnan."
@Caits@Nallore - The all clear as come; Astrid steps out of the infirmary and asks Kris and Neisha to go ahead and take the kids over to the Mess Hall to get food so everyone can get back on schedule and then just let's them know what they would already know = that they can get back to what is needed to tend to Newnan now that the all clear has been given.
@Sigil - Ryan just laughs as he looks at the kid he locked up. The kid has a small red mark around his neck from the sleeper hold he was put in but other than that the kid is perfectly fine. (Other than now being on Ash's shit list.) Stepping back in his cell as plops down on the bed and lets out a hardy laugh before reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a pen and the broken off metal point, tossing it outside of the cell. "Might want to part people down, I could have been back in thirty seconds," he said before laying back down in the bed and resting his hands behind his head looking rather smug.
Tatiana Korvo
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall: Kitchen)
Miss Sally nodded and grinned. "So am I," she quipped before she walked off to get back to work taking care of getting things organized for the meals that would be needed. Tatiana stood there still, covering her cheeks as she blushed at the insinuations. Looking over and seeing Jack flex didn't help the fifty shades of red go away. She found herself biting her bottom lip nervously as she tried to cover her mouth with the back of her hand as she looked away bashfully. He was handsome but it was his goofy caring nature that really had made her fall for him, though she wasn't going to complain that she had the best looking man in Newnan, at least as far as she was concerned.
Ms Sally stopped what she was doing as she the all clear came in from Ash and let out a sigh of relief. Picking up the radio she sent a quick call back out. "Mess Hall is open for a late lunch/early dinner folks," she sent out before putting the radio back up. Looking over at everyone she clapped her hands together and shook them a bit as if in a praised thank you to unspoken forces for the all clear to come in finally. "Alright folks, people will be in for meals. Let's get them served. This will be the last meal today. Those of you that have duties tend to them and come back for meal later, I will keep the mess hall open late tonight just in case. Alvin, Chubs; get some food while you wait on your detail until Captain gets here to interview our newest arrival. Sophia, you can head out, you as well Tatiana and Jack," she said before turning to newest Russian to Newnan. "Grab yourself a tray and get something to eat," she said with a grateful smile.
Tatiana breathed a sigh of relief as it came in. She wasn't hungry right then. Ms Sally had fed her and Jack just a couple of hours ago, so she figured they could wait a bit. She wanted to get back to their new house and get her ballet slippers and then get back to the Mess Hall to see what kind of show they could put together for the group tonight. Stepping over to Jack, she slipped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest innocently as she breathed a sigh of relief. Tilting her head back she gazed up at time and smiled softly. "Ve go home for a fev? Need toe shoes," she asked gently.
Zoie Crawford
Location: Location: Building 1 (Main - OR)
Zoie smiled softly as her fingers uncurled from the grip in his hair and she nodded slightly. Pressing a soft kiss to his lips before she rested back fully and breathed a sigh of relief. "That be the seconds best things I be hearing's today," she said in a tired voice as Astrid came back in and checked on the IV's. The transfusion was complete and the standard IV was low. Stepping over she gently removed the IV's and tilted her head at Zoie. Turning her head as the all clear came in from Ash before glancing back at the patient.
"Alright, get out," she said rather matter of factly. Zoie looked at her surprised, she had just had surgery and from what they had both told her she had died on the table, twice. "You heard me. Just saving us the argument when in an hour you say you are fine to go, and I say you aren't. Then we will go back and forth, you'll get stressed and try to storm out. Stopping that now. Richard, take her home and keep her in bed. Victor will be by tonight to check on her." She said before rested Zoie's radio back down beside her, then she turned on her heels and walked right out of the Operating room once gain.
Zoie lay there with her mouth agape, just slightly in shock. She didn't know what she was more shocked about. The fact she was being essentially discharged, the fact that Astrid nailed the argument that would have happened on the head, or the fact that she told Honky Tonk to keep her in bed. She would have laughed if she wasn't laying there dumbfounded by what happened. Well dog my cats," she muttered as she finally recovered from the slack jaw. Glancing over at Richard she sighed a bit before she slowly pulled herself up. Reaching she sat up slowly, holding onto the radio as she took a deep breath.
"All be clear? Good, Boss, I be clockin' out fer the day," she radioed to Ash specifically but let it go out to all the radios, not bothering to change it over to a private frequency. Looking over to Richard she turned, letting her legs fall over the side of the gurney. "Al'ight, time to carry momma home. Gets me out of here, place done smell like a grave yard," she said as she draped her good arm over his shoulder.
Location: Building 1 (Lobby - Infirmary) -> Building 2 (Mess Hall)
Kristina looked over towards Niesha and gave her a friendly smile and nod. "Sure that's fine with me, being alone in my room is sometimes awkward." Kris said as she then heard the all clear from Ashton, she turned her head as she saw Astrid coming out of the OR asking them to escort the young kids to the Mess Hall. "Sure thing Astrid." Kris groaned slightly as she grabbed the pair of crutches that were next to her and stood up, she wasn't sure if it was truly safe to go out into the open again but it seemed safe for now. She opened the door as the little ones got up as well and started to follow behind Kristina, she still cautiously stuck her head out of the Infirmary entrance slightly paranoid after the recent events of what had just happened. "C'mon lets go little ones." Kris said as she started making her way and leading the kids across Lagrange Street.
Once she was there Kristina opened the door to the Mess Hall and waved the kids to head inside first, she felt slightly like a glorified babysitter for the last several minutes but she didn't mind that if it meant the safety of the others in Newnan. As she entered the Mess Hall Kris saw Sophia who was busy setting up the silverware onto the tables and gave her a smile and wave. "Hey Sophia just wanted to let you know that Niesha has been worried about you." Kristina said as she moved with the other kids and got into line for some food, she hadn't eaten anything since the morning and going into the fields.
Kris looked towards Tatiana, Jack and Bazhooli three new faces that she hadn't seen in Newnan before and smiled at the three of them and gave them a quick wave as she went towards an open table and sat down.
Sophia Harris
location: Building 2 (Mess Hall) -> Building E Room 1 (Sophia & Niesha's Apartment)
Sophia tried to make sure that everything was neatly set up and perfect as she finished setting up the silverware that's when she heard the door opening and saw Kristina and gave her a smile and a wave, seeing the hungry look on the children's face. "Thanks Kris." Sophia said as she looked towards Ms. Sally, she gave the older woman a soft smile and nod she wasn't that hungry yet. She looked towards Tatiana and Jack the cute little couple. "I'll see the two of you later." Sophia said as she started to make her way towards the front door, she made sure to hug the wall still slightly on alert for another shooter to come out and take some more shots. She was still pretty paranoid but then again you have to stay alert nowadays from both the dead and other people.
Sophia made it back to the apartment building and entered it, she made her way towards her room and sighed slightly as she made her way towards the bedroom. It felt good to actually do something for once, even if it was small Sophia looked around the room it felt weird being in a room that was so quiet. She certainly did miss watching TV, but that was now completely gone she started to miss everything in the old world before everything went to hell.
Raymond Mendoza
Location: Heard County High School - Infirmary
Raymond listened to Tiffany, it put him a little bit more at ease getting to know her a bit more and just grateful for the company all together. "I was born and raised in San Antonio Texas, then I moved to Amarillo got a job as a reporter there I was doing a story when shit went to hell." Raymond said freezing for a moment remembering his girlfriend and the child that he ended up leaving behind because he was really stupid. That and he heard the door open as a young woman came in with some food, he looked at the watery food that was given he was both very hungry and tired.
"Anyway, I just started moving east into Georgia. And well basically met ya though I didn't plan on losing a leg today." Raymond said jokingly as he started to eat, his eyes then went towards his pack again as the Franklin woman gave simple instructions. Once she had left he motioned towards it. "Could you get my pack, and uh also ignore the dead fox. I had plans on cooking it earlier before bumping into you." Ray said as he thought about this new group, so far they didn't seem that bad at all. "Seems like a nice group here so far." Ray said softly. When Tiffany did grab it inside was of course the dead fox he mentioned as well as the bags of Doritos that he managed to get his hands on earlier.
Meghna Kumar
Location: Building 9 (The School) -> Building 2 (Mess Hall)
Meghna remained with a small group of elderly people along with Sid that had managed to get into the school building when the shooting had begun, she had her Colt M1911A1 drawn. When the all clear had been sounded off she set the handgun back into her holster and grabbed her radio. "Hey it's Meghna, bringing a group from the school over to the Mess Hall." She said as she opened the door and looked to the group that had followed her and gave them a smile and then motioned them all to follow her. Meghna cut through Jefferson Street and the parking lot near the General Housing building. And through the small grassy knoll that the Valks had stayed their first night, when she came through the door Meghna saw three new faces and then smiled at them.
She headed towards Ms. Sally knowing that the older woman was most likely working out in the kitchen she made her way through the kitchen until she found her. "So how have things been down here?" Meg asked, she looked out to the main room as some people started to get settled down for their meal.
Niesha stayed behind, watching the kids as they made their way to the mess hall, watching until the last one was through the door, before making her way to the medical gardens. She found a container to gather what she needed, putting herbs, and other supplies within the box, before starting to the kitchens. She could have taken Kristina with her, but the other girl wasn't authorised to be there, and she didn't want to get Kristina in trouble. Still, if Kristina showed aptitude, or skill, in what she taught her, perhaps she might have someone to pass knowledge onto, if something happened to her.
The events of the day had shown her that behind these walls, nothing was safe. Humans would do what humans always did to one another. Kill for resources, for religen, for just down right fun. Niesha had been thinking what might happen if she died. She had so much she could share, but no one in particular to share it with.
Even if all the walkers were to be put down tomorrow, it would take years to get back to what had been, and it would never be the same again. After all, how many engineers had survived? How many internet manufactors? Chances were, they'd never be able to get back what was lost. They'd have to rely on books, what had survived the apocolypse, and living knowledge. Which might not be much anymore. She thought on this as she walked to the mess hall, entering, and looking about, searching for any sign of Sophia, but she didn't see her.
A little down cast about that, Niesha approached Ms.Sally, to see if she could use the kitchens.
Location: Heard County High School â the cafeteria.
Alright things kind of just spun out and out of control around Amelia s she was catching her breath. After the apparent ultimatum given to Ed by Lyon, things just got even crazier. Some worlds were spoken, names exchanged, Lana herself seemed to recognize the man also. Amelia herself didnât really know what it was all about, but she had a feeling this wasnât a very simple thing. While not entirely sure of the meaning, she did get one thing: Lyon was a dangerous man. Ed appeared terrified from him, which by the process of some logical thinking on what Ed was talking nonsensically a while back, made Amelia conclude that Lyon was probably a mafia person of some kind⌠a very dangerous one it seemed! Also Lana may have been connected to a point with that in another surprising realization as she started speaking very warped English.
âI bloody knew itâŚâ Amelia said quietly as Lana threw her a glance. She never got a confirmation to till now, but she had a suspicion that the other woman at least understood english if not talk it.
Amelia didnât blame Svetlana for keeping quiet. It was a dangerous world, she herself knew that and she felt her scarred arm twitch at the memory of it. Now what attracted her attention was that this group seemed to be planning to strike a deal with another one! There were another group in these parts! She knew now those Eden folk were dangerous by how everyone talked about them here, but another gathering of people too? âGuess civilization started anew here?â She thought and threw a brief glance at Ed. He was no officially a danger to her. She hurt him pretty badly... and was sure he would come for revenge.'I screwed myself by not hitting him properly... damn.'
Tiffany listened to Raymond, thinking it was nice to finally get to know him after everything. They started in different parts of the world, but this situation brought them together. Fate played tricks like that, it seemed. She ate her food that was brought out as well, enjoying it with relish. As Raymond motioned for his pack, she hesitantly made her way towards it. She didn't much want to see a dead fox, but survival is survival. She opened it and maneuvered around the fox carcass and grabbed the bag of Doritos.
She sighed and walked back to the bed, "You were told to eat liquids, not solids. Why not save this for when you get better as a reward? They seem to have enough food here." She held the Doritos in her hand, but she wasn't about to fight a man who lost a leg recently at her own hand.
A wave of relief washed over Jack hearing the all clear crackle over the radio. At Miss Sally's instructions, Jack instinctively got ready to help serve the food, only to realize he was being dismissed. They were new to the community and didn't have assignments yet. Sheepishly scratching the back of his head, he awkwardly sidestepped out of the way, until he found Tatiana's arms wrapped around him. "'Course," Jack replied, though his heart skipped a beat.
Had his mother still been alive, he would have eagerly called her to share the news. Tatiana called the house home! he would have excitedly explained, as hyper as a young girl asked to her first high school dance. And then it dawned on him. While Tatiana was grabbing her shoes, he could grab the ring and quickly finish the knots. The slight scare they had today, as well as the fact that Tatiana called the building their home had made his mind clearer than ever before.
"You evah heard of the Dropkick Murphys?" Jack asked. "Maybe you could dance to that or somethin'," he joked, remembering the iconic song released in 2005. As the pair of them got ready to head home and leave the Mess Hall, Jack glanced over at Bazhooli, wondering if he would also be dancing tonight, rather than juggle knives.
Oh yes. He needed to see that. If only, of course, to defend his reigning title as the best dancer in the state of Georgia. "And tonight, I got a present for you," Jack added to Tatiana, unable to resist hinting at it. He was the friend you never let plan a surprise party, as he couldn't help but spoil the secret. He nodded at the group of kids and adults as they came inside, despite not knowing any of them. He was just too nice of a person.
Ădouard Riviere
Location: Heard County High School (Franklin)
Have you ever scolded a child, a particularly irritating and obnoxious one at that? If you have, you know that it is far better to hear them scream and pout. To hear only silence is the most troubling thing of all, as this special type of brat is at their very worst. Rather than throwing a tantrum blindly, silence on their part means enormous trouble on your part. It's the moment when you realize things are too quiet, and you run, thinking to yourself one simple word:
Fuck.
That was Ădouard now. Rather than hiss biting remarks or ponder about the few weeks his tutors had attempted to teach him English as a child, Ădouard remained eerily quiet. Not even a smug smile graced his lips, yet there was an intense concentration in his eyes. For a man who dedicated his life to winning the world record for Lowest Amount of Impulse Control, it was sacrilegious almost. He merely stood up from his position on the ground, not even whimpering in pain from the abuse he had been put through.
Location: Building 1 (Cells) -> Building 1 (Infirmary)
Ryan's laughter irritated Ash, and was quite successful in postponing anything along the lines of trust on his part. Much as he would like to wash his hands of the man, the Edenite may prove useful. But there was no way in hell he would be allowed out until he could be counted as an ally, and not just an asset. Newnan was not the kind of society that functioned purely on a basis cold exchange of service. They lived together, fought together, shared each others' tragedies and triumphs. Newnan was a community. Admittedly, a fairly strict community held together under the rule of military law, but it damned near a family, of sorts. This man wasn't part of that, and was pushing himself farther away.
Zoie's voice over the walkie was a blessed event. As he walked out of the Cells area and into the Lobby, he responded curtly, "Understood. Excellent news. Take as long as you need. Our new guest has requested your presence; he can wait."
As he had just left Bridgette back there with Ryan, and as she was still packing a radio, Ash felt confident that Ryan had just heard the news that Zoie was alive, ad that Ash had related his status. Maybe that particular bone toss would get him to shut up. Admittedly, he really doubted it. But if anyone was going to out-talk the jabbery bastard with the constant threat of disembowelment, it was Bridgette. He was glad to give them some alone time, brief though it was.
Making his way into the Infirmary, he looked around for Astrid. Quiet lady, in direct contrast to her fellow Valkyrie. In a somewhat quieter voice, he opened conversation with her at a query: "How are our patients really doing?"
Black James!
Location: Building 1 (Courthouse, Tower) -> Parking Lot between 10 (Medical Garden) and Gilbert Street - Present location of his Smoker
The familiar frame of Newnan's default sniper, Guy, appeared in the tower. The last month saw the marked absence of the lanky Virginian rifleman following his monumentally poor decision to abandon post on the suggestion of a young girl he had just met. The time he had spent performing non-combative, manual labor alongside the very girl whose suggestion got him in trouble in the first place; a act that gave him a touch of perspective. His transgression didn't seem like such a big deal at the time, really, and he was certain that Ash was an overreacting jackass for threatening him with a gunshot lobotomy, but the reality of their situation occurred to him over time. A month mucking out livestock pens didn't seem so bad in hindsight.
In any rate, James was happy to see him. "Guy! My man... Lookin' good. Glad to be back?" he opened, handing the man the rifle standard to the post. There was no way he was giving up Vera, nor his fallen fellow troublemaker's sniper system. The weapon was serviceable enough; certainly good enough for the United States military for many years. It just wasn't a massive, tank-destroying Barret.
"Yessir, glad to be back." He took the rifle, inspecting it and ensuring a round was chambered. He continued, effecting an accent that was very much like Captain Ash's when he became irritated, hinting at a common ground prior to the world ending. "I'll tell you, James... Working Agriculture, when the shit goes down? Made he feel a little helpless. Hell, got me damn worried. No weapon, middle of open ground? Dunno man. Happy to be back. Tell Ash thanks."
"Tell him yo'self. You know he ain't the type to punish after you done paid for your mistake. Anyways, you keep an eye out, I gotta tend my meats."
James exited the tower, jogging down the steps and outside the Courthouse. His beloved smoker was still puffing away. It hadn't been so long that he needed to replace wood nor water, but some minor maintenance to the level of heat was required. Maybe a little cleanup. Nothing major. It seemed a strange contrast, the manner in which his concern for the lives of Newnan was replaced by the simple joy of smoking meat. Maye not replaced, but temporarily supplanted in level of emotional priority. If there was anything he learned about life Post-Outbreak, it was that you take moments of levity when you could.
"Few more hours, few more hours..."
James's attention drifted to the skin he had removed earlier. Provided he left the fur on, there was relatively little to do before he turned it over to a tanner for proper handling. If memory served, he heard a rumor that one such person might be in town. Producing a blade, James laid out the potential throw rug and started cleaning it up a bit.
The Great Bazhooli
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall)
What a day! Very exciting. It began traveling along railroad tracks with a sometimes present cat, followed by discovering a big, big wall along the tracks that didn't used to be there. He performed a little show, got held at gunpoint and disarmed, then shuffled away to meet new people, all before the whole place came under fire by an outside group of very nasty men. Yes, this was truly in the spirit of adventure!
Of course, taking away the dash and romance of the situation, this day could be described the same way one would a kettle cooked potato chip: Sweet & Salty. There was good potential here, maybe a place for him if mutual trust could be established. But like anywhere in this new world, tragedy was a heartbeat away. People were killed today. The Great Bazhooli was happy to be alive and with people now, but these men and women had just suffered a loss.
All the same, it had been a long time since he helped prepare a meal for others, let alone have a pretty girl smile at him from across a room. These were more or less decent people, from what he had seen so far.
The radio looked like a central part in their lives, carrying all important communications and vastly changing the tone of the day from announcement to announcement. Things visibly relaxed when the grumpy man gave an "All Clear", for instance. The Mess Hall sprung to life with a new voice letting them know that kids would be arriving soon. And huge sighs of relief when a heavily accented voice proclaimed that she was taking the rest of the day off.
To no one in particular, The Great Bazhooli breathed out a single thought, "Hell of day, da. Hell of day."
Newnan is a bit stressed out but things are calming down even with everything that happened. People are making the rounds, starting to get back to their jobs as details are put into place. Miss Lilly's body is taken down outside of the wall and is being carted back to the wall currently. The north end of Newnan is on higher alert than the rest to make sure they don't loose anyone else retrieving the old woman as more graves are dug. Richard is carrying Zoie back to her house currently, Zoie looks worn out and her shoulder is bandaged up tight. She is tired and is nearly falling asleep in his arms as he carries her through town back to her place. Several are a bit in shock she is letting him even near her after everything that went down but the basic gossip is that she is too damn tired to wallop him currently.
Over in Franklin, the place is a bit up about Ed's whole thing but Lyon is assuring them that he will get the manchild in line and if he can't they can tar and feather him later. The Medic has spoken with Beni and it seems a team is being put together to see if they can get some meds from a place called Newnan. Beni is taking Lana with him since Peaches doesn't seem to want to leave her side. Beni is putting Lyon in charge. People are going back to what they where doing but a few sticking around to help Lyon find sleeping arrangements for their new comers. A nurse comes in to tell Tiffany and Ray that another cot will be set up in the recovery room for Tiffany for the evening and Tiffany is asked to play orderly when it comes to Ray during the night and to come get help if he gets any worse, instructions to take his temp every hour; a thermometer is left on the table for her. Lyon hands over a rag to Ed and in French tells him to follow him to the make shift infirmary so they can clean out the gash on his cheek just to ensure it doesn't get infected. Several have given Amelia a bit of a pat on the back over her "swing" as she is lead deeper into the school start getting blankets and pillows together for the new folk.
@Sigil - Astrid looks over at Ash and smiles slightly giving him a curt nod. "Actually both are doing well. Victor just needs some rest while I run some tests. Zoie was tricky, we lost her twice but Victor was able to bring her back. She is patched up now. Richard is taking her back to her place to rest. She will need a few days at least. They hit an artery and she lost a lot of blood. I would rather have her here but you know how she is. I sent her home with bed rest instructions. Victor will check on her later. The rest was just bumps and bruises. Every is doing well. How about you? How are you faring?" Astrid asked as she crossed her arms over her chest, making it very clear she wasn't referring to how he was doing physically but mentally.
@Sigil@Nallore@Caits - Miss Sally smiles over to each of them as the kids come in and the trays are starting to be piled with food. "We are doing good Meg. I had some help in the kitchen from our new folk, so we didn't fall behind with the meal even with everything. Tatiana and Bazhooli, our two new resident Russians are being good enough to put on a show for us this evening." Turning she excuses herself to go check on Neisha, "do you have everything you need? Just let me know the kitchen is yours now since we are finished. If you need some help feel free to call Sid back here to give you a hand now that things have calmed down."
Tatiana Korvo
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall: Kitchen) -> Building F (Jack and Tatiana's House)
Tatiana perked a brow, wondering just what in the world Jack was talking about. "Vhy vould someone drop kick Murphy?" she asked a bit confused and then her eyes light up as Jack mentions a surprise. Her lips pucker as she gives an "Oooo," excitedly.
Looking over towards Miss Sally she smiles. "Be right back," she says before she laced her fingers through Jacks and heads out the back door of the Mess Hall towards their house. Leaning a bit against Jack as she walks she glances up at him and grins. "Vhat is my surprise?" she asked, poking him in the side a bit. It wasn't that she did or did not want to know but more of she wanted to pester him playfully to see if she could get him to tell her before hand.
Stepping up the steps of their home she opened the door and looked inside slowly, too many years on the road aren't going away anytime soon and she has to stop herself as she realized her knife wasn't on her hip right then. Shaking her head like she had just some idiotic she stepped into their house and wandered over to her pack. Seeing the dirt on her hands from getting the ground earlier she sighed before glancing over at Jack. "Going to go clean up," she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek and then proceeded to head back to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
Kristina looked over towards Niesha and then gave her a soft smile. "I saw Sophia leaving towards the our building I think." Kristina told Niesha knowing that the woman was probably extremely worried about Sophia since she hadn't seen her since this morning when they had the crazy moment with the raccoon running amuck around Newnan. Kris grabbed the food and quickly started to dig into it her stomach growling slightly as she was hungry, though she didn't eat much of it she really wanted to save more room for the deer that James had been smoking all day.
Kristina ran a hand through her hair and sighed for a moment and shifted slightly in the seat as she looked around the room seeing the kids from earlier and the elderly that Meg had brought in just moments ago. Kristina quickly finished eating the rest of her food and got up making her way towards where the dirty trays have been set up. Kristina decided to just sit around the mess hall at least for awhile or until it was closed for the day. Kris then looked towards the big Russian man just as Meghna came back out from the back and approached Kristina. "How are you holding up Kris and what happened to you?" Meg asked her.
Meghna Kumar
Location: Building 9 (The School) -> Building 2 (Mess Hall)
"I'm alright and I ended up riding a spooked horse and it bucked me off, and I landed in a pile full of shit.." Kristina answered still sounding really embarrassed about the whole situation. Meghna couldn't help but laugh softly and gently gave her friend a pat on the shoulder Meghna turned her attention over towards Bazhooli and Tatiana as she left the room with Jack the other new comer she hadn't gotten a chance to meet yet. "So you must be Bazhooli, am I right?" Meghna asked normally she would let Ashton deal with greeting the new guest in Newnan but knowing Ashton he was most likely busy dealing with the aftermath of what has happened.
"I'm Meghna Kumar it's nice to meet you." Meg said as she extended her hand towards Newnan's newest Russian, she wanted to get to know the man a little bit better and then maybe talk to Ashton about it later on. "And I hope you are holding up alright after our little problem, also can I get you anything some food or water?" Meg asked.
Sophia Harris
location: Building 2 (Mess Hall) -> Building E Room 1 (Sophia & Niesha's Apartment) -> Building 2 (Mess Hall)
As Sophia laid there on the bed looking up at the ceiling she started to feel a little bit bored as she then sat up again she knew that she didn't want to get a meal just yet. But it wouldn't help but to just make some conversation with some of the other residents, and it was her first day being out of the infirmary. She also wanted to see Niesha she was worried about her once the shooting began and she really wanted to make sure that she was actually alright. Sophia started to make her way towards the front door to their apartment as she left the building and headed down Lagrange Street the same way that she had came moments ago.
Once Sophia opened the door she scanned the room hoping to find Niesha there and she did and quickly made her way over towards her friend and pulled her into a tight hug. Sophia would let out a soft sigh as she held her, she still wasn't sure if Niesha felt the same way as she did for her. Sophia backed away for a moment rubbing the back of her neck for a moment and blushed slightly and smiled at her. "Sorry just glad that you are alright." Sophia said with a soft smile towards Niesha and then looked over towards Ms. Sally and gave the older woman a smile. "Sorry needed to come back to see if Niesha was here or not." Sophia said softly.
Raymond Mendoza
Location: Heard County High School - Infirmary
Raymond watched as Tiffany got up and went towards his pack and pulled out the bag of Doritos that he had managed to snag from earlier, he looked towards Tiffany and then the bowl of liquid that was in his hand. "I was actually thinking that we could share it, theres a few other bags in there I managed to scavenge we can give them and the fox to the group." Ray suggested as he grabbed a handful in his hands and then started to crumble it into the liquid. He yawned slightly as Ray continued to eat he was starving he eventually finished and set the bowl over on the table next to him.
Ray turned his head over towards the door as he heard it open seeing a nurse coming in he listened to the woman he was glad that he wouldn't end up being in a room all alone with no one he knew. He trusted Tiffany more then anything at this point, she saved him after all from becoming a mindless man eater. Once the nurse left Ray grabbed another handful laying them down on his chest and then thought for a moment. "So what do you want to talk about?"
